The new actions will benefit migrants, refugees, Internally Displaced Persons, returnees and host communities alike. Formulated jointly by the European Commission and Italy, the new programme will enhance access to basic and social services for vulnerable people and support local governance, in particular in the Libyan municipalities most affected by migratory flows.
High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini said: "We have been working very closely in recent years with the central and local Libyan authorities, with civil society and with all the actors that can bring peace and stability to a country exposed to many challenges. The municipalities play a key role and have our support. With this decision today, we continue the essential help to and for Libyan municipalities to strengthen governance and public services in the most vulnerable areas. This programme is meant to address the needs of migrants and of the local communities that are particularly exposed to the migratory flows. The European Union will continue to stay at the side of Libyans and of all the people in need"
Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, underlined: "Today's new programme demonstrates that the European Union remains committed to assist Libya in responding to the pressing needs of the most vulnerable people and to strengthen local governance across the country. We are committed to supporting the kind of changes in Libya that can help bring stability in the country, which is a key priority for addressing the migration issue and many of the country's other challenges."
This new programme will support the capacities of local public authorities and administrations in providing basic services – health, education, water and sanitation as well as social services – while improving timely and quality access to these services, in particular for the most vulnerable people. It will cover 24 Libyan municipalities, ensuring a wide and balanced coverage across the country. The programme will be implemented by the Italian Cooperation, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
Implementation will be closely coordinated with the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) and the Presidential Council, taking into account the needs of the local population as well as those from migrants and vulnerable groups in order to foster better inclusion and stability. To this end the European Union will continue to work closely with the UN Special Representative for Libya to bring a lasting solution to the crisis and restore peace and stability in the country.
As part of a comprehensive approach to support Libya and joint efforts with Italy, this programme expands both geographically and financially the support provided by the EU to Libyan municipalities across the country, and in particular, along the main migration routes.
Background
In January 2017, the EU rolled out its strategy to address the situation in the Central Mediterranean Route. To address this situation, the Joint Communication on the Central Mediterranean Route, 'Managing flows, Saving Lives' (25 January 2017) and the Malta Declaration of 3 February 2017 outlined a number of measures as part of a comprehensive strategy to strengthen the EU's work along this route with a particular focus on Libya. The Joint Task Force, set up with the African Union and United Nations on 29 November 2017, committed to accelerate ongoing efforts to assist migrants and refugees in Libya, underpinned by financial assistance under the EU Trust Fund.
This new programme builds on the approach and the objectives set under the programme "Managing mixed migration flows in Libya through expanding protection space and supporting local socio-economic development” adopted in April 2017. Through the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa, as of today, the EU has already committed €237 million worth in programmes addressing challenges in Libya.
This support has already demonstrated significant results, by enabling, in particular:
- the provision of clothes, food and hygiene kits to approximately 33 000 migrants;
- the medical assistance of more than 10 000 migrants;
- the safe and dignified voluntary return of more than 19 000 stranded migrants in 2017.
- The distribution of ambulances in Murzuq and Kufra.
- The rehabilitation of a clinic in Benghazi (45% completed).
- The delivery of medical equipment to three Primary Health Care Centres in Sabha and one in Qatroun.
- The provision of generators to several health facilities in Sabha to maintain a continuous power supply and allow them to operate even when the power supply is unstable.
